[mylesph1]

I realized the other day that the sound system (base spec) in the S60 is pretty weak. Beyond wishing it wasn't an automatic, it's really my only complaint about the car.

Anybody have experience upgrading the system? I'm always a fan of leaving the factory head unit if possible. Assuming the amp is under the passenger seat (I'll look today), is it easily upgraded? My preference is doing a much more powerful amp, then replacing the speakers but leaving them behind the factory speaker grills.

Any previous threads on the topic would be great, my search function didn't reveal much.

 

[Phixion]

With the base system (HU-613 like I have) some known upgrades are replacing all of the speakers for the premium yellow tag versions, and adding the P300 yellow tag amp which is rated at 300 watts. Have you tried getting into the hidden equalizer mode in the head unit and tailoring the sound? That can definitely improve things if not. I recall a thread once (forget what forum website it was on) where someone replaced the main capacitors inside the head unit which opened up the sound a lot! Something about the factory internals are known to bottle neck sound quality and can be improved with a little soldering and replaced internal components. I wish I had the link to that thread handy...

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[broinkrist]

I'm in the same situation as you. 2005 with the base head unit and speakers. It's been 'fine' for the 10+ year that I've had the car, but could be better. I purchased a P300 amp with harness that goes under the passenger seat and will be swapping over to an HU-8xx unit that I got from a buddy. These two updates should net a pretty large improvement, but adding a center channel, swapping out the front speakers with a better component set (can go OE premium speakers or aftermarket), and/or adding a small subwoofer in the rear are on the future list.

There really isn't that much room under the passenger seat for any aftermarket amp that will be powerful enough. I used the Rockford Fosgate Punch PBR series amps in my other car and the OE P300 amp is smaller than even those. The annoying part about using aftermarket speakers in any of the locations is there are no adapters, so you'll either have to make custom adapters or cannibalize your OE speakers for the frames. There also aren't that many options for a sub in the rear due to space (the trunk is small enough as it is). Building a custom enclosure against one of the side walls is a good option for optimal sound and no loss of space, but a lot of work. Probably the easiest option will be to use one of those sub+amp combos that can fit into a full size spare. You could also get one of those amp+sub compact setups and make come custom brackets and mount it behind the trunk panels.

 

[tabormeister]

Stock premium setup is great. Pulling a set from a junkyard car is quick and install isn't too heinous, or Erie VoVo sells tested sets. The premium speakers are the biggest upgrade, followed by the amp/hu-850/center channel in my onion. @Exocet and I have both documented a premium retrofit in our threads.

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[mylesph1]

well! This is exactly why I still believe in car forums, for info like this. Erie VoVo has three of the 300-watt amps available for very reasonable prices. That sounds like the cleanest way to add power. For speakers I'm more likely to go ahead and get new aftermarket items, but seeing as they have all the speakers as well, I may come back with more questions Thanks again.

 

[tabormeister]

You have a 2007 s60, right? Honestly, with the crazy cheap price of a set of premium stock speakers, you'll be hard pressed to find something that sounds better for close to the same amount of money. They are Kevlar cones with a really nice powerful, balanced sound. In addition, Volvo does some odd things with impedance so finding aftermarket options that will:

1. Work electrically (I forget how they do it...4ohm speakers in series or something? Someone who's better at audio correct me)
2. Be able to be fitted easily.... This is a rough time if you're not like a pro audio installer, because none of the mounting spaces are standard. All the speakers have custom plastic carriers, which you COULD hack up, but that's a ton of work and if you don't have the budget for really good component speakers then it's a waste. In my humble opinion.

The premiums also include an additional mid-range in the front doors as well as uprated tweeters and woofers.

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[broinkrist]

For the Premium Sound System:
Front Door speaker set (3 way system) are matched total to 4ohms.
The Center Dash speaker is an 8ohm single voice coil speaker
The Rear Door speakers are single components that are 8 ohm
The Rear Cargo Desk speaker sets are a 2 way (woofer and tweeter) that is linked and 8ohm.

The rear door and rear cargo area speakers are wired in parallel for a total 4ohm load at the amp.

 

[Phixion]

As a question, can the rear deck speakers have the tweeters disconnected and/or removed without any affect on the impedance? I currently throw full treble and about half bass at the fronts and no treble and full bass at the rears for best sound. Even on the base white label system it still sounds pretty damn good and even sounds like as if there's a modest sub in the back. Still can't crank too loud though without some bass clipping. I have a pair of mid level "8 rear deck speakers and a P200 amp I need to install. I am running the mid level tweeters in the front doors that I had swapped out the original base ones for. Also is either the P200 or P300 amp too much for the base white label speakers?

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[bigtimemcalpine]

Stock premium setup is great. Pulling a set from a junkyard car is quick and install isn't too heinous, or Erie VoVo sells tested sets. The premium speakers are the biggest upgrade, followed by the amp/hu-850/center channel in my onion. @Exocet and I have both documented a premium retrofit in our threads.

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Agreed. I pulled a premium set for both my XC and my S60 from my local yard. My kids’ friends regularly comment on the fact that this stereo is awesome. That’s good enough feedback for me. I don’t have the trunk amp but do have the front centre speaker as well as premium all around including the amp under the passenger seat.


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[Garrutt]

What wiring harnesses would be recommended when upgrading the 850HU to an aftermarket HU? I have the factory amp and would like to use that if possible, as well as keeping the steering wheel controls.

The previous owner of my car did a botched install of a GROM unit which is really outdated and the 850HU now only picks up radio frequencies sometimes which limits the use of my FM to Bluetooth transmitter. I honestly think the head unit is still good but it gives me the excuse to upgrade to a new head unit with carplay and a backup camera as well, which I need as my windows are tinted and have horrible visibility.

 

[mylesph1]

How did the PO botch the install of the GROM unit? I installed one in my car, it’s a pretty easy job.

My only complaint is that if if my iPhone is plugged in and also connected via Bluetooth, it can get confused about which source to use. Music will endlessly start and stop until you either unplug the phone or shut off Bluetooth.

 

[Garrutt]

How did the PO botch the install of the GROM unit? I installed one in my car, it’s a pretty easy job.

My only complaint is that if if my iPhone is plugged in and also connected via Bluetooth, it can get confused about which source to use. Music will endlessly start and stop until you either unplug the phone or shut off Bluetooth.

I'm not sure how he botched it I've never had the radio out to look at what he did behind there and he didn't seem to remember very well how it was installed. The thing was taped to the side of the center console though and with half the wires disconnected. Its also doesn't have the Bluetooth dongle just a 30 pin iPod connector and an aux cable. I'm assuming that whenever they installed it they may have somehow loosened the connection to the antenna. The radio works sometimes when it finds a signal and when I plugged the aux in I can use the GROM interface.

I'm really not interested in using the GROM unit and stock stereo though as I would like to add a backup camera to my car and would prefer to just focus the money towards that rather than fixing the stock setup.

 

[Phixion]

You'll need to purchase a special adaptor from Crutchfield (unless somewhere else sells one) that allows you to use the steering wheel buttons as you would like normal. Unfortunately I don't believe that there's any aftermarket HU besides a Blue Power unit that will not render the buttons inactive and useless without that special adaptor.

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[mylesph1]

Quick thread bump for a question.
I found all the premium stereo equipment, but it’s from a 2009, and the front door speaker setup is different - as is the door card, because the two speakers are down low in the door, instead of a tweeter up next to the rear view mirror.
Thoughts?

 

[ScottishBrick]

Quick thread bump for a question.
I found all the premium stereo equipment, but it’s from a 2009, and the front door speaker setup is different - as is the door card, because the two speakers are down low in the door, instead of a tweeter up next to the rear view mirror.
Thoughts?

Tweeter remains in the same position

 

[mylesph1]

Tweeter remains in the same position

Hmmmm… okay, I know you know your Volvos. But from what I saw, the entire design of the lower door panel speaker grill in front of the door pocket is slightly different, and wider, to accommodate the two speakers. I don’t see how my door card would fit over that speaker combo.

 

[ScottishBrick]

Hmmmm… okay, I know you know your Volvos. But from what I saw, the entire design of the lower door panel speaker grill in front of the door pocket is slightly different, and wider, to accommodate the two speakers. I don’t see how my door card would fit over that speaker combo.

Doesnt. Need premium audio door cards or 01-02 high performance front speakers. Aka single unit premium audio.

 

[mylesph1]

Got it, thanks

 

[tabormeister]

Got it, thanks

Best is to grab sport door cards and fit over premium stuff, premium tweeters go in top of door card near door pull and premium two-way speaker (woofer and mid) go in door. Most 01-09 s60s and some v70s have premium door cards - as long as the plastic/leather is the same as your car, you can swap the trim over. I have extra star washers you can have if you decide to go this route (for securing trim after swap)

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[throw1932]

hey guys, i have been looking into upgrading from the HU-613 to the HU-850. I am concerned if the wiring for everything is already installed or not? I have read that wiring for power seats is not pre-existing on base cars that have manual driver seat, is this the same case for the stereo system? my car has no rear decklid speakers. I have searched several junkyards around me, and none even have any S60s to pick through, aside from the one place that had a few without the premium audio package. still have some other yards to check. I will keep an eye out for the premium door cards, hopefully I can make something work to keep the base model door cards with the premium speaker covers.